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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-02-13 CorrespondenceD I � B IOWA STATE BANK & TRUST COMPANY s i IOWA CITY. IOWA 52240 4NE.5 CODE 319-33a.3625 February 2, 1979 FFE�8 51M D ABBIE S OAF-, .; CITY CLFRn Mayor and the Members of the City Council i City of Iowa City Civic Center Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Ladies & Gentlemen: Michael Kucharzak wrote to us telling of the proposal to amend Section 9.30.12 of the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code. He urged us to express our opinion and this is the reason for this letter to you. We appreciate very much this opportunity to comment. i 1 This bank, through its trust department, leases property for housing purposes in several capacities. One is as trustee and the property is held for investment, ianother is as conservator and we manage the property for someone else who is unable to do it themselves, and another is as agent for someone who lives else- where or chooses not to manage the property personally. i We have found for the most part, the present code effects the management of resi- dential property in the area of physical condition. Once the deficiencies have been corrected and the property is maintained, we have been able to rent and manage the property with a minimum of involvement in administrative or mandatory reg- ulation. The proposed amendment changes this situation. It would require the appropriation of a check list and this means time to compile it, file it, and administer it. It would be required for each tenant, and each lease, independent of the need or de- sires of the parties involved. This is a major addition to the work and time re- quired for leasing. In other words it adds to "the red tape". Settling damage problems with tenants has not been a problem for us. It has been handled in a variety of ways and the use of a check list is only one. Each case has been handled according to the particular circumstances. We believe this freedom and flexibility should be re- tained. To require an additional checklist, or form of this nature, adds to the ex - MICROFILMED BY l JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOINES IOWA BATE BANK & TRUDT COMPANY ( 1 pense of leasing. Rental property is under severe competition from alternate forms of investment. A person can get a nine percent return from government bonds with no risk and no problems: or ten percent interest on a contract sale if the property were sold. As the expense and burdens of managing rental property increases, either the rental rates rise or the investor turns elsewhere. The upgrading of rental property is a worthwhile objective. There has been great improvement in the quality of housing in recent years. May I suggest enough has been done and that the renting of residential property not be further burdened by requiring check- lists or other additional paperwork. Sincerely yours, 2o2�0a_"— George R. Dane Senior Vice -President & Trust Officer GRD/ce MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOINES 1 February 16, 1979 Mr. George R. Dane Senior Vice -President and Trust Officer Iowa State Bank and Trust Company Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mr. Dane: At its regular meeting of February 13, 1979, the City Council received and placed on file your letter concerning the proposed amendment to the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code. The ordinance concerning the Proposed checklist has been scheduled for first consideration at the February 20 meeting of the City Council. A copy of the proposed ordinance is enclosed for your perusal. If you should have further comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely yours, Neal G. Berlin City Manager Is Enclosure cc: City Clerk MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOLFIES FebPuary 6, 1979. To the Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council of Iowa City, Iowa. Thank you for agreeing to review the Sheridan Avenue parking situation before you have any new parking signs put up on this street. "Which of the three parking plans would be best for Sheridan Avenue?' is the question which your Council will need to determine. The three are: (a) On Sheridan Avenue there are now "no parking at any time" signs on the south side, with parking permitted at all times on the north side. (b) Calendar parking signs are now in place on all streets in this area, vrlth the exception of Sheridan Avenue, with the change -over time being between 7 A.M and 9 A.M. (c) That awful plan proposed for Sheridan Avenue. Under this plan parking would be prohibited at all times on the south side of Sheridan, (the same as now) and parking would also be prohibited on the north side between 8 A.M and 5 P.M., Mondays through Fridays, with up to 48 con- secutive hours on the north side on week ends. For identification we have maned this the "wacky" parking plan. (`Phis should read, 48 consecutive hours of parking are permitted on week ends.)on the north side.) Wein the neighborhood, have discussed these three plane, and for a time thought that the plan now in use might be O.K. (Plan � ug P g (a). However, as soon as the calendar parking signs were putiin place on all streets in this area, for blocks and blocI6 around, except on Sheridan, it immediately became apparent that parking regulations on Sheridan could not be left j "as is" because the north side of Sheridan would be the only street for blocks and blocks around where motor vehicles could be parked for up to 48 consecutive hours. That could bring so mane additional cars on this one street amxman8xaxdditimna1iears that snow removal could not be properly done. j It would be equally unfair if the Council were to use the "wacky" parking plan on Sheridan Avenue, with parking prohibited on both sides of the street from B.A.M. to 5 P.M. MondayH through Fridays. My suggestion, therefor, ,is that your Honorable Body have calendar parking signs put in place on Sheridan Avenue so that the parking regulations would be the same on all streets in thio area. The following are the reasons why the calendar parking plan, and not the "wacky plan, should be used on Sheridan Avenue,*Xgg-thKx±z1ieWirrgx 1. Because the "wacky" plan would be so discriminatory and unfair that it might be a violation of Human Bights. It would discriminate because on streets with calendar parkingjregulations, parking on one side of a. street or the other.is permitted T4 hours a day, 7 days a week, whereas the "wacky" plan prohibits parking on both sides of a street from 8 AX to 5 P.M. five days a week.. 2. Because the "wacky" plan is so impractical. Plumbern, furnace men, electricians, and other service people do not work at•night. They work from 8 A.M. to to 5 PM., and theyIneed a pla.ce on one side of a street to p;+rk their trucks when called to t job. And those who spend two or three hours with an ill or aging relative nbould not be required to look for, and maybe not find, parking places on some side street when thergrplenty of unused sp4ces in front of the, home they visit. ;z$7 MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES 1101DEs City Council, page 2, 2-6-79. 3. Because, under the "wacky' parking plan, the north side of Sheridan Avenue would be the one and only street in this area where it is permissable to park in one place for up to 48 consecutive hours. This could gradually change this street into an on -street ptotage place for cars. There is some indication that this has already been tried out. �Feolile catch on fast.) The more care there are on a street, the harder it is to clear the street of snow. 4• Because prohibiting parking on both sides of Sheridan Avenue between 8 A.M. and 5 P.M. could bring hardshipto so man the aging (65-84) and to the aged(85-95) e People, especially to homes and out of institutions as lonasisho are trying to stay in our help, and outside help needs pla cesgto par]Fcossible. ;7e need outside i I Starting this hardship is so unnecessary. Both of the Resolutions adopted j by your Council on January 16 state as follows: " This action (adopting new parking regulations) is taken in order to facilitate the removal of snow accumulations, street cleaning and refuse collection." Calendar parking could facilitate the removal of snow accumulations tamxjkxxxsispx irrout exactly as well on Sheridan Avenue as on the streets with calendar parking signs. But Sheridan Avenue is listed among the 21 streets, or partbcof streets, where snow removal, etc., is scheduled to be facilitated by implementing thatt"wacky" parking plan. Is this some kind of an experiment, with Sheridan Avenue selected to be one of the guinea pigs? i5: Because the Police have many more important things to do than trying to enforce a parking regulation like the "wacky" plan. PhEASE., Council, don't experiment on Sheridan Avenue with any kind of a "wacky" parking plan, when a good plan is available. Please lot snow removal, street cleaning and trash collection be facilitated by calendar parking, the same as on all other streets in this area for blocks and blocks around: Thff-sooner galendar parking signs could be put up, the better . We may still have more blizzards and heavy snows, and if at those times a large number of cars were to take refuge on the north side of Sheridan, the City could have a reAl:problem -- and Sheridan Avenue residents too. Zia, 67 1530 Sheridan Aven �oa�I FEB C ]979 ABBIE STOLFUS, CMC CITY CLERK (3) MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOINES February 22, 1979 Ms. Della Grizel 1530 Sheridan Avenue Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Ms. Grizel: The City Council has received your letter concerning the parking situation on Sheridan Avenue. Calendar parking is being installed in a large portion of the community to address the issues of snow removal, street cleaning in the summer, and passage of vehicular traffic. In most cases, the removal of one line of parked cars will allow for a limited amount of traffic to traverse the street. There are certain streets in the community that carry an appreciable amount of bus and/or automobile traffic on which it is necessary to completely remove parking so that traffic can traverse the street. Sheridan Avenue falls into this category. It is anticipated that signs will be placed on Sheridan Avenue in the next few weeks. We do not feel that the concerns expressed in your letter will prove to be insurmountable but if the situation warrants it we will review these decisions after all of the signing efforts in the community have been completed and have been in place for a few months. Sincerely yours, Neal G. Berlin City Manager bj5/13 / cc: City Clerk ✓ MICROFILMED DY JORM MICROLAB cEDAR RAPIDS -DES MOINES February 7, 1979 T 0 . Members of the Iowa.__�ity Council �- F R 0 M . Mrs. Wanda Pickering, 315 Ron s Street, Iowa City, IA I am writing to express my opinion regarding the trash and garbage pick up regulations that have been in effect because of the recent heavy snow- storms we have experienced. I can easily understand why alley collection was discontinued temporarily but I fail to understand why it has not been resumed since the alleys have been plowed and are in generally good con- dition. We have been advised via newspapers and radio that we should deposit our garbage and trash in front of our houses -- this directive coming after alley pick ups had been halted for at least 2 weeks so most of us had a pretty good supply on hand at that point. We live in an area where calendar parking is in effect; we have practically bumper -to -bumper parking most of the time; the snow is piled 3 - 4 feet high in front of our curbs, so I am wondering why we should be expected to carry accumulated trash to the front and try to place it where there is no place to put it instead of leaving it where it is and garbage trucks resuming regular alley pick ups? A further concern is that we are now hearing "rumblings" that the City Council is considering passing a new ordinance that will do away with alley collection of trash and that all pick ups will be from the curb in front of residences (and businesses, too?). Surely such action will not be undertaken without first inviting the citizens involved to have some input into the matter? When will the issue be brought up and how many weeks will pass before it can be voted upon by the members of the Council? I am assuming that the matter will be stated clearly and completely in newspapers and on radio. Thank you for your time. wp r MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES 110INES FIFE10 9 1919 AIDB It: STOLFUS CITY CLERIC, CITY OF IOWA CITY CIVIC CENTER • 410 E. WASHINGTON ST IOWA CITY IOWA 52240 (319) 354.180D February 20, 1979 Mrs. Wanda Pickering 315 Ronalds Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Mrs. Pickering: The City Council has received your letter regarding garbage pickup. For many years garbage pickup in alleys has been hampered not only by snow in the winter but by mud during the spring and summer months after rainfalls. In addition residents have frequently complained about the damage done to dirt alleys by the heavy weight of the garbage trucks. The City constantly receives complaints from residents abutting alleys about the haphazard storage and unsanitary conditions present in most alleys due to the inattention to sanitary storage of waste. When waste must be placed at the street each week, attention is given to the condition of the can, spillage, and other unsanitary conditions. After taking all of these concerns into consideration the Council agreed with the staff recommendation to remove garbage pickup from the alleys. This should not seriously affect citizens in any manner. Refuse will still continue to be picked up once a week on schedule. For most residents it takes only a few minutes to take cans out to the curb and remove them. As you state in your letter the snow banks are creating problems but the problem of getting a garbage truck through a muddy or icy alley is far more severe than the inconvenience of working around snow banks. We do thank you for your comments on this subject. S1�Y Yours, Neal G. Berlin City Manager bj5/12 MICROFILM BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES MDINES City o9 Iowa, MEMORANDUM Date: February 8, 1979 To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: James Brachtel, Traffic Engineer35 Re: Taxicab Stand on S. Dubuque As directed by Chapter 23-16 of the Municipal Code of Iowa City this is to advise you of the following action. ACTION: Pursuant to Section 23-290 of the Municipal Code of Iowa City the Traf- fic Engineer will direct that the signs establishing a taxicab stand at the south end of the 10 block of S. Dubuque be removed. Further the Traffic Engineer will authorize that a parking meter be installed at this location. This action will be taken as soon as municipal crews can complete the work. COMMENT: This stand had been installed to facilitate the operation of a local taxicab company. The cab company paid the annual rate of $150.00 for this service. The taxicab company has indicated to the City Clerk that he no longer wishes this space to be reserved for him and has not paid his $150.00 annual fee for 1979. jm4/16 FE�B 9 19E79 ABBIE S T OLFUS CITY CLERK MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES 14O1NES Date: February 8, 1979 To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: James Brachtel, Traffic Engineer.ly Re: Taxicab Stand 400 Block of College Street As directed by Chapter 23-16 of the Municipal Code of Iowa City this is to advise you of the following action: ACTION: Pursuant to Section 23-290 of the Municipal Code of Iowa City the Traf- fic Engineer will direct that the meter located on the south side of College Street at the east end of the 400 block of College Street known as I-401 will be removed. In its place the Traffic Engineer will direct that a sign be installed denoting this parking meter stall as a taxicab stand. This action will occur shortly after the Better Cab Taxicab Company pays its $150.00 annual fee to the City Clerk. COMMENT: This action is being taken to facilitate the operation of the Better Cab Taxicab Company. As noted above the action will be taken as soon as the City Clerk notifies the Traffic Engineer that Better Cab Taxicab Company has paid its $150.00 annual fee for this stall. jm4/17 MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES IIDINES FE'3 9 19'79 ADD:ES►OL f•US CITY CLERK W � � ' �(\|u\ STAFF REPORT To: Planning & Zoning Commission Prepared by: Doug 800thr0y Item: 5~7902. Windsh1re Date: February l/ 1979 GENERAL Applicant: Melrose Development Company 612 North Dubuque Street Iowa City` Iowa 52240 Requested action: � Approval of an amended L3KU plan Of lots 3 and 4 Of Westwinds. Purpose: � To develop a 52 unit condominium apartment complex. _ Location: South of Melrose Avenue and east . of West High School. Size: ' 4^49 acres Existing land use and zoning: Undeveloped and 83. . Surrounding land use and zoning: South ^ Nark IVpar— ento and R3 , , West ~ West High � g� School and Rl8 North (across Melrose Avenue) � ~ ` HawkDrive Apartments (University ` owned)and RlA East ^uostxindsand B3 Applicable regulations: ' �� � Zoning Ordinance, LSN} plan provisions. 45 -day limitation �`' 2/26/79 / SPECIAL INFORMATION Public utilities: � � Adeouate water and sewer services are available. Public services: Sanitation service and Police and Fireprotection are available. / Transportation: � � Vehicular access would heprovided from Melrose Avenue. Physical characteristics: i The topography is rolling to severe | with a slope' range of from 5~10 percent. . | MICROFILMED BY ][lRMM/CRO/AB � CEDAR RAPIDS -DES o0|k[S 2 ANALYSIS The subject plan is an amended LSRD plan for lots 3 and 4 of Westwinds. The initial plans for the Westwinds development envisioned a racquetclub constructed on lot 3 and 24 condominium residential units on lot 4. In this plan, the developer proposes a change in the archit.. fromectural style for 3handesidential from 22-24 units lon lot r4)5eaand inelieuin dnsityoflaeracquet club anclub-28 uitsohn lot ouse with tennis courts (2) being provided in the existing storm water detention facility. The use of the club house and tenn development. is courts is for the entire The staff finds no major constraints to the development of the subject lots as now being proposed. RECOMMENDATION It is the staff's recommendation that the preliminary LSRD plan be deferred. Upon revision of the plan incorporating the deficiencies and discrepancies noted below, the staff recommends it be approved. DEFICIENCIES AND DISCREPANCIES 1. A typical cross-section of the parking should be provided. 2. The title should be changed to read, Amended LSRD Plan of Lots 3 and 4 of Westwinds. 3. The development's density should be indicated by lot as each lot must not exceed the allowable density for R3. 4. The private courts should be named. ATTACHMENTS Location map. ACCOMPANIMENTS I. LSRD Plan. 2. Building front elevations and club house floor plan. Approved by 4Dennis Kraft, D e for pment of Planning and Program Development r - MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS -DES NOIRES 7902 l •• re�SEc.T L.oca�lor� LOCATION MAP MICROFILMED BY JORM MICROLAB CEDAR RAPIDS•DES MOINES J Cr �° F �a 51919 M2 LbnloL b xuucl�,F�z (ocu4647y Bo"b or=AWL),,nm,.], OIv C- 64�uTEe. µlo F=• WAr;:BA it,�-rb .5r IocuA CrN , 10cu-4 57zgo beA&L DDNAL.-b • dorothy fowler, M.C. interior designer pen office box 1108 iawo city Iowa 544/0 ]]8.4415 32,18 aLmwoop 7r -Z RcrHe5Tsey N y.14620 I�,Bev42y ra-79 -ro `/out LETID=e- or= JAI,SUAey 24 = W ILt_ IJpT (�� B&e-L 1 N 10 U-14- e-1 rq 00 A P&,P-F1 AA)C-TI i ��I� UNTIL .C)OEF. `/'U t ALt oc,-rFFIS Le'1THp A5 µy Rsquesr To G�:>I �,FJ F-acAA Tt+=, -eo,C D� /�bJv=T'A-fE r`1TS IF I -r Hl�1 SA-• T -FIE' DIF1=1CIL4 SuaeDuu uc, PROPLC-MS , 1' N/,4s c 0bla2 -1-+41✓ II LPP�s- Ioo My TraAA [oN'nw1LA---b uurL_, Iyer p1J�Ti F - z LS�oL�LC E{Iave 186-16►JT+1'� Tn LTO �P�2 R,=.mtat I1S.§ T APin L� o 41'7t t=nP- INL'nNvej j1t=rJC.rl3,sr i'oo At, TUG 03oAC>-b Mr=MeE- z b!n. /i 2En O L-: oP- -ch its "1)4-")P, 2 DAVE eo loyeb. 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